Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh (Gen. 44:18). It shall come to pass, when he seeth that the lad is not with us, that he will die: and thy servants shall bring down the gray hairs of thy servant our father with sorrow to the grave. For thy servant became surety for the lad unto my father, saying, If I bring him not unto thee, then I shall bear the blame to my father for ever. Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father(Gen. 44:31-34).
When reading the chapter leading up to Joseph’s revelation of his identity to his brothers, we most often focus on his extraordinary forgiveness and understanding. However, if we look at the brothers as a whole, and Judah in particular, we see that God has even more to teach us. Twenty years ago, these ten men were controlled by jealousy and hatred and had conspired to kill their brother. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams (Gen. 37:20). Now, however, through the grace of God, they have been redeemed. It is not that circumstances had changed—their father Jacob still openly favored Rachel’s sons over the rest (42:4,28)—but rather that God had changed their hearts. Instead of jumping at the opportunity to get rid of Benjamin the way they had Joseph, Judah pleaded to allow his younger brother to return safely to their Father, even if it meant losing his own freedom. I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?
Joseph, who had already forgiven his brothers in his heart, was greatly moved by the changes he saw in them. These were no longer men fueled by hate; they freely admitted to themselves their past sins (42:21-22) and were determined not to repeat them, no matter what the cost to themselves. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
It is a popular belief today that people can’t change their innate nature. We base our interactions with others on logical assumptions, such as accepting that we must be on our guard when dealing with a known narcissist/liar because they will always put their own interests first. What God has revealed here flies in the face of our so-called logic. With the Lord’s help, it is possible for anyone to change. When interacting with others, even those who have wronged us in the past, we need to take our cues from their current behavior rather than how we remember them from before. Just as God encourages us to learn and grow in our faith, so too does He work continuously in the hearts and lives of others.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh(Ezek. 36:26).
Thought for Today: To believe that people truly cannot change is to have no hope for oneself; we are all born into sin.
Christ Revealed:Through Joseph's dealings with his brothers. Christ deals with us in such a way as to bring about our confession of sin and a recognition of His forgiving love. In a similar way, He reveals His sovereignty over the affairs of life (Gen. 45:5-8,15; compare Rom. 5:8; Eph. 1:17,20-22).
Word Studies:43:1 sore = severe; 43:6 ill = badly; 43:7 straitly = specifically; tenor = we merely answered his questions; 43:17 bade = ordered; 43:25 the pre- sent against Joseph = present - gifts; against = before; 43:28 made obeisance = bowed low in respect; 43:30 bowels = heart; upon = toward; 43:32 set on for him = set a place for him; abomination = detestable thing; 43:34 messes = servings
Pray for StaffKevin Jennings • Country: Nigeria (177,155,754) Western Africa • Major Languages: English, Hausa • • 50% Muslim; 40% Christian; 10% Indigenous • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord's forgiveness with a repentant heart, knowing that God will graciously receive you (Hos. 14:1-2).
Optional Reading:Matthew 15